In last Friday evenings Hastings Cup Shield Semi Final played in Crettyard, the U21 Footballers of Tipperary and Laois produced a cracking contest before Tipperary finally emerged deserving winners after extra time on a score line of 3-13 to 3-11.
Having appeared to be coasting at times with six, five and four point leads built up at different stages over the eighty minutes only to see Laois claw their way back, Tipp overcame the setbacks but will certainly have to deal better defensively in closing out games to have any chance of progressing in the upcoming championship.
Setting the pace right from the throw in, Tipp made the perfect start with 1-3 inside the opening ten minutes with two points by Paul Shanahan while corner forward TJ Ryan chipped in with a point and a smashing goal after a great run by Dean McEnroe in opening up the Laois defence.
The next twelve minutes saw Tipp lose their way as Laois winning more ball hit back with four points to put themselves well in contention. A Dean McEnroe point and a further Laois point left Tipp ahead at the break by two, 1-4 to 0-5.
Laois got the second half off to a flyer and continued where they left off with 1-2 inside the opening ten minutes before Tipp regained control reeling off 1-5 with points by Liam Casey (1), Paul Shanahan (2) and 1-1 by Josh Keane leaving Tipp well worth their four point advantage with six minutes remaining.
A Laois pointed free narrowed the gap but having given away possession in a good attacking position in front of the Laois goals, the ball was swiftly worked up the field and finished to the Tipp net with a minute remaining.
Paul Maher did have an opportunity to wrap up the game but his goal bound shot was well saved when a fisted point might have been the better option and extra time beckoned.
Level at 2-9 each, substitute Michael Meagher made his mark straight away in the first period of extra time with 1-1 and a Josh Keane pointed free had Tipp five clear and would appear no way back for Laois.
However the Laois boys weren’t finished and lapses in concentration saw Tipp punished as Laois hit back with 1-2 to tie up the game at 3-11 each at the end of the first period.
The second period saw Tipp hold the opposition scoreless while Ross Mulcahy with a super point having soloed over sixty metres and a further Josh Keane point ensured a Tipp victory and a place in the Hastings Cup Shield Final.
In what will be an all Munster final, Tipperary will play Kerry this Saturday afternoon, February 14th, at a Limerick venue. (Full details unavailable at time of writing )
Final score, Tipperary 3-13 Laois 3-11
Tipperary – Gearoid Slattery (Cashel King Cormacs); Michael O’Connor (Cahir), Jimmy Feehan (Killenaule), Colin O’Shaughnessy (Ardfinnan); Luke Boland (Moyle Rovers), Ross Mulcahy (Moyle Rovers, 0-1), Kevin Fahey (Clonmel Commercials); Liam Casey (Cahir, 0-1), Paul Shanahan (Upperchurch Drombane, 0-4, 0-2 frees); Mark Russell (Lattin-Cullen), Niall McKenna (Cahir), Dean McEnroe (JK Brackens, 0-1); TJ Ryan (Rockwell Rovers, 1-1, 0-1 free), Josh Keane (Golden-Kilfeacle, 1-4, 0-2 free), Paul Maher (Kilsheelan-Kilcash).
Subs: Michael Meagher (Grangemockler, 1-1) for M.Russell, Gerry Cronin (Ardfinnan) for N. McKenna, Tommy Sweeney (Ballyporeen) for TJ Ryan, Domnic Walsh (Moyle Rovers) for L.Casey, Pearse Richardson (Arravale Rovers) for Ml O’Connor
Tommy Fitzgerald on behalf of Tipperary U21 Football
By Jonathan Cullen Sun 8th Feb
